Issue 479 | December 9 2016
Victor Moses
We speak exclusively to the Premier League’s most improved player
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“ h e ca m e i n a n d h e saw s o m e t h i n g . h e k n e w h e c o u l d wo r k w i t h m e ”
Cover and this page: Shamil Tanna
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love and hate Sir Ian Botham: wine, walking, a love of New Zealand and Mr Spock
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diary Tiger Woods returns, surly Selby criticises the critics and Eddie’s red nose
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Flats on Friday The mega-bantz world of corporate entertainment
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sport’s dirtiest year We look at how sport (not us) reached a doping crescendo in 2016. And it’s not over yet massimo luongo The QPR and Socceroos midfielder on his journey so far and why football’s loan system can give some players a golden opportunity to succeed
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Victor moses Chelsea’s renaissance man talks about his faith, forgiveness and coming in from the cold at Stamford Bridge cowboys in control NFC East leaders Dallas Cowboys face the New York Giants in the NFL’s game of the weekend. Worth staying up for
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watches Timepieces for the (very) special people in your life
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cycling Jerseys, socks and smart glasses that tell you how to be a better rider
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golf From a new driver to Star Wars balls – we take a swing at top golfing gifts
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Sir Ian Botham crickET LEgEND, SpOck fAN, gEOgrApHy fAiLurE something out of Star Trek – Mr Spock. When he looked at you, you could feel him probing. He wasn’t the best player I played with by any means, but he was a very, very good captain.”
“ The besT bowler I faced? You could pick from about eight or
nine West Indian bowlers. That side of the late 1970s through to the late 80s – they didn’t lose very much, if ever. They were just exceptional. So take your choice – there’s a load of them... I got hit three times by [the West Indies’] Andy Roberts, though. I lost four teeth on one occasion.”
“I love new Zealand. It has everything, for me. Great people,
but very under-populated, which I enjoy because I’m a country boy. Fishing, golf, wineries, restaurants – it has the lot. Wonderful place.”
“ There’s many, many modern crIcke Ters I admIre.
I’m not one of these guys who always says: ‘In my day…’ People such as Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli are box office right now. We’ve also had Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, MS Dhoni. Fantastic players.”
“ The Idea for The walks [to raise money for Leukaemia Research] came when I read about Barbara Watson, an eccentric lady who every year got a train to John O’Groats and spent the whole summer walking back down to her home on the south coast. That was the idea – and then I blurted it out and said I was going to do it at a press conference. My wife thought I’d say ‘London to Brighton’ or something of that distance. Of course, my geography wasn’t very good, so I didn’t realise that it was 400 miles from John O’Groats to the English border, then another 600 miles to Land’s End. So we kicked off with about 1,000 miles, which is a decent distance.”
“I shared a house – never mind a cricket pitch – with, in my opinion, the greatest cricketer who’s ever lived. That’s Viv Richards. But if I had to pick out one guy who I’d love to have played against, but didn’t – someone who I just missed by a few months – it’d be Shane Warne. I think Warney and I would’ve been a good contest.”
Dave Homer
“my favourITe wIne Is vega sIcIlIa, which used to be very difficult to get a hold of. Not quite so difficult now, though I think the Spanish royal family still take the great lion’s share of the production every year. That’s a wine I fell in love with many years ago and I still love to this day – but good wine is readily available now. The new world changed it all: Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina.”
“IT ’s a combInaTIon of enjoymenT and pleasure,
doing those walks. No pain, no gain – so there are days when it’s uncomfortable and it hurts. And there are days when it goes wonderfully well, we get big crowds turning up and we raise lots of money. So, it’s like playing sport, really. Good days and bad days.”
“mIke brearley was a specIal capTaIn. He had a real
ability to get the best out of what was around him. A little bit like
Sir Ian Botham was speaking at Tesco Wine Fair on behalf of Hardys Wines
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Quote of the week
Last Laugh of the week The Australian newspaper illustrated Eddie Jones as a horror movie clown last week. But after the Wallabies were overturned 37-21, England’s head coach could josh about ‘getting his red nose later’ after sealing a perfect 13 wins from 13 games in 2016.
“People were threatening my life and saying the world is better off without me. People don’t see that side of it” Golfer Paige Spiranac gave a tearful press conference at the Dubai Ladies Masters, explaining how social media stardom made her a target for cyber bullying and, importantly, urging other victims to speak out.
Number of the week
Laced up and ready to go.#tw17
201 tweet of the week He ultimately faded with a final-round 76, but Tiger Woods shot 24 birdies during his Hero World Challenge comeback – plenty to get excited about.
Guiding the Patriots past the LA Rams without keynote receiver Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady hit 201 career wins, making him the winningest – embrace the Americanism – NFL quarterback in history.
Charm offeNsive of the week
Friendly fire
Photo of the week
On a particularly violent footballing weekend (step forward Sergio ‘Chopper’ Aguero and choke-slamming Fernandinho) the on-pitch infighting between Preston’s Jermaine Beckford and Eoin Doyle during their team’s 2-1 loss at Hillsborough was a special kind of disgrace.
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VCG/VCG via Getty Images. All other pictures Getty Images
Nobody does surly better than Mark Selby, who celebrated beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in snooker’s UK Championship final by rounding on critics of his gritty style. “With the criticism I get, it inspires me even more,” he said. “It makes me want to try harder.”
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Don’t knock the corporate and banter brigade
Main illustration: David Lyttleton. Pen pic: Peter Strain
W
hen the big international rugby matches come around, you’ll invariably find former elite players with stiff knees and engorged stomachs populating a seemingly endless number of corporate spaces around the various stadia. I’m one of them, and these gigs are among the very best in the calendar of the becauliflowered raconteur. Corporate entertainment is, just like sports punditry, something we all take for granted. When one takes time to think objectively, though, both activities might seem plain odd. I mean why is it that, at half-time, we’re offered the opinions of former players – and why, instead of just arriving and taking in a match, do so many pay so much to hear folks like us talk for a bit about the old days after a few pints of the naughty stuff? I expect it’s all down to making money through offering the best coverage or experience possible, and I do think there are real explanations as to why both phenomena are so indispensable in sporting circles. My wife could think of nothing more dull than Gary Neville’s pre-match analysis on
Monday Night Football, except perhaps paying to watch me and Lawrence Dallaglio tell a load of half-cut punters about that time we got caught up in a cross-dressing/ kidnap-based PR disaster in South Africa a few years ago. But so many love it, and I reckon I know why. I think people think they love it because it assures them that the chaps they watched and admired for years (and me) are just normal people after all. But I don’t think that is actually why they love it. I think it’s such a popular way to spend money because, once they hear what we all used to get up to and how we actually behaved on a daily basis, they revel in the fact that we are not normal at all, and never were.
“Sir Clive Woodward was mocked on stage just for being called Clive. He loved it” 08
In these corporate suites there are sporting legends – icons, even – and they get slaughtered by the rest of us in front of hundreds of people, with no respect shown at any time. In fact, respect is all but outlawed. Last week alone, Sir Clive Woodward was mocked on stage just for being called Clive (an undeniably unfortunate name for anything but a house cat), and asked if he’d been guaranteed a state funeral. He loved it, and was laughing the whole way through. Dallaglio was mercilessly humiliated for discretions past, and at times couldn’t speak for giggling. Austin Healey was hammered for, well, for being Austin, and I was attacked for being the worst and least successful player in the room by a million miles. It’s not pompous, and it’s not inappropriate. It’s pure fun and, had I the cash and the clients to entertain, there’s nowhere I’d sooner spend my money. As for punditry, we all just like to hear the views of the experts in order to steal them for ourselves, right? Thought so. @davidflatman
It’s time for Christmas magic. TISSOT CHEMIN DES TOURELLES AUTOMATIC.
TI S S OT WATC H E S .CO M TISSOT, INNOVATORS BY TRADITION
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Comments of the week Issue 478 | December 2 2016
N o w w h a t ?
Greatness secured, Mo Farah looks to the future in our exclusive interview
I appreciate an awesome cover – love it @SportMagUK @sarahinho73
When football really is life and death stuff
Pen pic: Peter Strain. Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
“S
ome people believe football is a matter of life and death… I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” Bill Shankly’s famous quote has always annoyed me. Or at least, the misuse of it. I’ve heard people spout it earnestly, often in self-acclaim at what hardcore football fans they are. Thing is, Shanks was joking, right? It’s a joke. A witty self-deprecation poking fun at how passionately he himself loved the game. Another of his wonderful one-liners is: “If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I’d pull the curtains.” It’s a joke too, you see? If Bill Shankly actually saw Everton playing football in his back garden, he wouldn’t in reality pull the curtains. He’d probably stare in slack-jawed wonder at why on Earth a professional football team were trampling all over his vegetable patch. A quote that does sum up football for me comes via another great manager, Carlo Ancelotti. He called football: “The most important of the least important things in life.” That’s true of the events we can all get over-excited about: our team’s results, refereeing decisions, etc. We feel passionate about them, they really do matter to us – but we understand that in the grander scheme of things, they aren’t so important. The biggest British football story of 2016 is a sharp reminder of what is important. First, Andy Woodward had the courage to speak to The Guardian’s Daniel Taylor about the sexual abuse he suffered as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra. I read it, as many did, appalled at the trauma he’d experienced and how it affected his life. That interview broke a wall of silence. Other stories emerged, some directly connected to Woodward’s
abuser Barry Bennell, many relating to different circumstances. As I write this, 450 players have come forward to say they were victims of abuse and more than 50 football clubs are linked to investigations. The sheer scale of the abuse is shocking. Yet while revelations of the abuse of vulnerable children is grim there is – as unlikely as it seems – a positive aspect.
“The players who have suffered in silence for far too long are, we hope, getting some catharsis” This week, Woodward, Steve Walters, and Chris Unsworth announced the formation of the Offside Trust: a support network for players who have suffered abuse. The NSPCC has also set up a helpline for victims (0800 023 2642 and open 24 hours a day). The players who have suffered in silence for far too long now are, we hope, getting some catharsis, some recognition, some help – even if what’s been taken can never be replaced. For that reason, it’s among the most harrowing football stories of the year – but it’s also the best. In that at least it’s being discussed and investigated rather than people suffering another day in silence. Because this, truly, is of life and death importance. @otheralexreid
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Love that @amitkatwala listed the #afcb v #manutd goal by #Stanislas as one of the best things he’s seen in the @SportMagUK podcast! @blackberrychris @SportMagUK @clarebalding anyone who doesn’t like tomatoes can’t be trusted. @maxrushden
Blame game reflects badly on football’s super-egos
@davidflatman spot on! Some managers have never made a mistake unlike those dastardly refs... (sarcasm on!) @ElaineVaughan1 @SportMagUK @JamesHorncastle Excellent article James! A joy to read. From “occhi umidi” to “tiramisu” to “tailor”. Lovely work. @NickolasBibby
Keep in touch with @sportmaguk sportmagazine sportmaguk info@sport-magazine.co.uk
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England crash out of Euro 2016 against Iceland 9.51pm, June 27 128k tweets per minute
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Eder’s extra-time strike puts Portugal on the verge of glory in the Euro 2016 final 10.19pm, July 10 58k TPM
The biggest sporting moments of the year, according to Twitter. Remarkably, this is the UK top 10 for everything, not just sport. Although not much else has happened in 2016, has it?
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9.56pm, May 2 107k TPM
4.50pm, June 16 77k TPM
9.28pm, June 11 60k TPM
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Leicester win the Premier League as Tottenham draw with Chelsea
Jamie Vardy’s first international goal – an outrageous backheel flicked volley in a friendly against Germany 9.25pm, March 26 56k TPM
Daniel Sturridge gives England a late win over Wales in Euro 2016
Bastian Schweinsteiger skies his penalty in the Euro 2016 quarterfinal shootout against Italy, but Germany go on to win anyway, natch 10.44pm, July 2 52k TPM
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Eric Dier crashes in a free-kick in England’s Euro 2016 opener versus Russia
England’s dour 0-0 draw with Slovakia means they are runners-up in Group B, but presents a winnable Euro 2016 clash with Iceland 9.52pm, June 20 51k TPM
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A Sam Vokes header seals victory for Wales over Belgium in the Euro 2016 quarter finals 9.42pm, July 1 59k TPM
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Dejan Lovren’s 91st minute goal makes it 4-3 to complete a stunning Liverpool fightback against Dortmund in the Europa League quarter final 9.54pm, April 14 50k TPM
All pictures Getty Images
#trending
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Here’s a neat illustration of what Alexis Sanchez did to West Ham’s defence last weekend. That 5-1 defeat to Arsenal was the latest in a long line of Hammers woes since leaving Upton Park, which is well on the way to being demolished and turned into flats, as pictured here. It was helped along by a controlled explosion for the filming of Final Score – an upcoming movie in which thousands of people are held hostage in a football stadium. Pierce Brosnan saves the day in that one (really). Could he be the man to rescue West Ham’s season?
Jack Taylor/Getty Images
Forever growing rubble
Doped How 2016 became the dirtiest year in sport’s lengthy doping history k Words Sarah Shephard Illustration Daniel Mitchell
D
oping in international sport has reached the point of no return. Over the past 12 months, one scandal after another has emerged. Each has added another thick layer of dirt to a world buried so deeply beneath it, we can no longer tell what it is supposed to be. If anyone doubted just how bleak things had become, the case of Polish weightlifter Tomasz Zielinski was enough to set them straight. The ninth-placed finisher in the -94kg category at the London 2012 Olympics, Zielinski discovered in September that six of the athletes above him were belatedly revealed as dopers, elevating him to the bronze medal position. Great news for him. Especially considering Zielinski had missed out on the chance of an Olympic medal in Rio this summer when he was sent home after testing positive for nandrolone. Sport’s doping troubles stretch far beyond one athlete, one sport or even one nation. That is what 2016 has shown us. We’ve learned of state-sponsored doping and of corrupt officials valuing their own wealth and privileged positions above the sport they are paid to protect. We have also seen the world’s most powerful sporting institution allowing yet another Olympic Games to be blighted by cheats. Richard McLaren, the Canadian law professor commissioned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) to investigate the allegations of state-sponsored doping against Russia, is set to publish the second instalment of his report today. It is likely to reveal yet more details of widespread doping. it’s time to take stock. Can sport can come back from its doping annus horribilis? And, if so, how?
“The second part of the McLaren Report will reopen a lot of the issues. We’ll hear a lot of evidence that will point the finger at Russia again”
Groundhog Day
“I think there’s still a lot to come,” says Steve Wilson, European sports editor at Associated Press and veteran of 15 Olympic Games. “The second part of the McLaren Report will reopen a lot of the issues and we’ll hear a lot of serious evidence that will point the finger at Russia again. Then we’ll get Russia on the defensive, the antidoping world calling for sanctions against Russia and we’ll be back to square one. Groundhog Day.” Square one, in this case, refers to November 2015 – when an independent report commissioned by WADA, separate to McLaren’s two-parter, revealed details of “a deeply-rooted culture of cheating” within Russian athletics. It went right to the very top. The report said: “It would be naive in the extreme to conclude that activities on the scale discovered could have occurred without the explicit or tacit approval of Russian governmental authorities.” It wasn’t just the Russian authorities that were implicated, either. The IAAF, athletics’ international governing body, was found to be complicit in covering up Russian doping scandals, ultimately allowing a number of
Steve Wilson,
European sports editor, Associated Press Russian athletes to compete at the London 2012 Olympics when they likely should have been serving bans for doping. One Russian athlete who should not perhaps have taken part in the 2012 Games is Tatyana Chernova (pictured, following page), who beat Jessica Ennis-Hill to the 2011 World Championships heptathlon title. She was given a two-year ban in January 2015 by the Russian anti-doping agency after a retesting of her sample from the 2009 worlds found a prohibited anabolic steroid. Chernova’s results from August 15 2009 to August 14 2011 were annulled, but that did not cover the Worlds. It was only after an IAAF appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport that she was stripped of the gold, since awarded to Ennis-Hill. In July this year, weeks before the opening ceremony for the Rio Olympics, the sporting world was rocked by McLaren’s first instalment and tales of urine swapping and “disappearing positives”. The
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details of McLaren’s WADA-commissioned investigation, into alleged doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, were shocking. With the help of the FSB, Russia’s national security agency, tainted urine samples belonging to Russian athletes were passed through a “mouse hole” from inside the Sochi anti-doping laboratory into a secret laboratory where they were replaced by clean samples collected from the relevant athletes months earlier.
Unfit for purpose
“In some respects, it’s so old fashioned as to be ridiculous,” says Michele Verroken of Russia’s tactics. Former director of ethics and anti-doping at UK Sport, Verroken is now director of sports consultancy business Sporting Integrity and anti-doping advisor to governing bodies including the PGA European Tour and The R&A. k
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She has more than 30 years’ experience in the field of ethics in sport but readily admits she never thought she would see a period quite like the past 12 months. “It has shown the systems in place aren’t fit for purpose,” says Verroken. “We’ve invested for years in an anti-doping system that’s meant to be protecting athletes and able to verify the integrity of performances, but it hasn’t done that. Some of the most blatant – and, in some respects, simple – means to corrupt the system have been going on below the noses of people who were meant to be looking and finding.” The evidence from McLaren’s first report left Russia’s reputation in tatters. But the fallout from it proved just as harmful to the wider sporting world, thanks to some first-class power wrangling between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA. In the weeks after the publication of the McLaren Report part one, WADA called for the entire Russian team to be banned from the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games (the Olympic track and field athletes had already been suspended by the IAAF). With the IOC promising to take “the toughest sanctions available” it seemed this was a real possibility. Yet just a week later, IOC president Thomas Bach announced there would be no blanket ban on Russian athletes from Rio 2016. He instead ruled that it would be up to the individual federations of each sport to decide whether Russian athletes should be allowed to compete. In other words, the buck was well and truly passed.
Russia’s Tatyana Chernova was stripped of her 2011 Worlds gold, which goes to Jess Ennis-Hill
“What happened in the lead up to Rio has exposed WADA. It also demonstrates that the IOC don’t hold WADA in any regard whatsoever”
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images, Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images
Mixed messages
For Nicole Sapstead (pictured right), chief executive of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the IOC’s decision to ignore WADA’s plea caused just as much damage to the anti-doping world as the dirty details emerging from Russia. “What happened in the lead up to Rio has exposed WADA and the WADA Code, which is supposed to harmonise how anti-doping is dealt with [and maintain standards]. It also demonstrates that the IOC don’t hold WADA in any regard whatsoever. “They decided to take zero leadership on the issue and put it in the hands of the individual federations. That is the biggest scandal, because you had some sports saying they were banning all their Russian athletes, some saying they had to meet certain criteria and some saying it’s fine.
How tHe doping scandal unfolded
What’s that saying to the public? It was a cop out. Woeful.” The IOC’s decision was cast in an even worse light when, a few weeks later, the International Paralympic Committee did what the IOC would not and banned all Russian athletes from competing at the Rio Paralympics. Wilson says the damage to the antidoping cause could be long lasting. “We’ve seen bitter fall-outs, blame games, finger pointing. I think there are a lot of scars from it and I’m not sure how easy they will be to heal. There’s a need for a unified effort against doping, but at the moment it seems fractured in different ways. “The issue with Russia [and a collective ban from the Games] caused bitter divisions between anti-doping bodies, the IOC, Russia, the athletes and the public. All took different views. It’s going to be difficult to get everyone moving in the same direction and agreeing on the same things.”
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German broadcaster ARD’s doc alleges doping by Russians, “99 per cent” of whom dope says former discus thrower Yevgeniya Pecherina. WADA sets up independent commission.
Nicole Sapstead,
chief executive, UK Anti-Doping
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A second ARD doc claims a third of medals in endurance events at the Olympics and World Championships between 2001 and 2012 were won by athletes who had recorded suspicious tests.
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‘That’s it, you’re gone’
Where does this leave WADA? Shown up by the IOC for lacking the power to impose serious sanctions against countries that don’t comply with its code, the global watchdog of anti-doping has serious questions to answer about its own role. “WADA has to be more robust,” says Sapstead. “They’re there to determine compliance. They need to have some sanctions, and less influence coming from the sport movement about what they do. So if we were to encounter this situation in future, there’d be no discussion about what we should do. It’d be: ‘That’s it, you’re gone until you meet certain criteria.’ That should be the same whether it’s for a country, an individual federation or an athlete. “As athletes always say: they get held to account under the WADA Code every day of the year, then when it comes to an individual federation or a country demonstrating a disregard for the rules, the same sort of punishments do not apply.” Sapstead also calls for some sports – she doesn’t specify which ones, but Sport would guess football isn’t too far from her mind – to invest in an anti-doping system that is ultimately in place to protect them. “Right now, your readers are footing the bill for what we do,” she says. “A number of sports generate income from ticket sales or broadcast rights, and I wonder what importance they place on the integrity of k
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WADA report reveals a “deeply rooted culture of doping” in Russia and recommends the Russian federation be suspended from competition and barred from the Rio 2016 Olympics.
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Second part of WADA’s report says the IAAF “could not have been unaware of the extent of doping in athletics” and that there was a “lack of political appetite within the IAAF to confront Russia”.
their sport? We’ve seen what can happen in one sport, whether that’s cycling or athletics, or what happened in one country. That’s enough to affect your brand. “At the moment, everyone is happy to ride on the coat tails of the public purse in an industry evolving at a rate of knots. It’s not a sustainable model. Sports need to ask themselves whether they think this is important enough. And, if it is, what are you going to do about it? Sitting there saying: ‘I’ll wait until that crisis happens’ is not the approach I would take.” For Verroken, the athletes themselves should play a key role in moving on from a year in which they have often been lost among the noise. “It’s fundamental we get athletes involved in helping create a system that will verify performances,” she says. “It might be that we design specific programmes for different countries so that we pick up on cultural issues as much as the sporting ones and don’t just treat everyone as a generic athlete... We have to start thinking a bit more about who’s been the victim of all this.” With the forthcoming McLaren report expected to focus on individual Russian medal winners from the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, another debate over sanctions – this time on individuals – is likely to follow. Verroken believes: “We started to lose our way the moment we started to remove life bans. If you have cheated, you have cheated. If you have a serious doping violation, you don’t deserve to represent your country.” “I feel for governing bodies who are almost obligated to take back someone who didn’t play by the rules,” she adds. “They have to waste resources ensuring that doesn’t contaminate the rest of your sport. These are challenging times for governing bodies – there are a lot who want to do the right thing, but sometimes they’ve been let down by people in positions of power who have exploited that power to the max.”
As nature intended?
Some sports – powerlifting and strongman, for example – have gone so far as to set up specifically labelled ‘drug-free’ or ‘natural’ organisations in a bid to provide a safer environment for their athletes. Tom Hamilton is a powerlifter who this year won a world title in a competition governed by the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF) and says he chose that
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Director of Russia’s anti-doping laboratory during the 2014 Sochi Winter Games tells The New York Times about Russia’s “meticulously planned” doping campaign involving 15 medal winners.
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The power struggle between Russia and the IOC
“If you have a serious doping violation, you don’t deserve to represent your country” Michele Verroken
director, Sporting Integrity route after “finding the WDFPF carry out the most tests on their athletes.” He believes it’s something that could work across other sports, “not only for the athletes competing but also the fans”. He says, however, that even those sports with zero-tolerance rules are at risk. “I do think you will always get people who don’t stick to the rules and will cheat in a tested sport.” It’s a concern shared by two-time British Natural Strongman champion Jack Lovett, who asks a question any clean athlete or concerned sports fan will have asked themselves this year. “If the Olympics is fallible, how can any other sport not be?” He believes separating sports into those that take a lenient stance on performance enhancing drugs and those that don’t is not the cure-all some might believe it to be. He says: “Does Natural Strongman test its athletes? Yes, I’ve been tested multiple times. Could someone get around those tests? Sure.”
Richard McLaren releases his first report into alleged Russian state-run doping at the Sochi Olympics and other events. WADA calls for Russia to be banned from Rio 2016. The IOC declines.
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The ‘Fancy Bears’, a cyber hacking group, hacks into WADA’s system. They release private medical records including therapeutic use exemptions (or TUEs) for GB athletes, among others.
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The fact that these ‘natural’ and ‘drug free’ federations are the lower-profile, less lucrative organisations in their sport begs the question of whether we – the viewers – are actually all that bothered about the validity of what we are watching. “Ultimately it depends what we want to see from sport,” says Verroken. “There’s a lot to support the idea that sport has become entertainment – we can see that from the growth of hospitality at major events. At the same time, does the watching public really care how clean it is? I’m really not sure... “Sport is losing a lot of its cachet and, if we’re not careful, it’s going to become almost like a virtual world where actually it doesn’t matter because there’ll be another Olympic champion along any time soon. “I can’t see any other industry going through this type of crisis. I’ve seen people call it a watershed, a perfect storm. It’s all of those at once this year.” @sarahsportmag
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A WADA report into anti-doping operations at Rio 2016 finds “serious failings” with up to half of all planned drugs tests aborted on some days because athletes could not be located.
N Ov e M b e r 201 6
Retesting of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics results in more than 75 athletes from the two Games being found guilty of doping violations. At least 40 athletes were medal winners.
Now at
L o n g a n d w i n d i n g r o a d QPR and Australia midďŹ elder Massimo Luongo on his journey from the Sydney suburbs to west London, with a few diversions along the way k Words Sarah Shephard
N
ot many footballers have a straightforward journey to the top.
For the majority, there are many diversions en route – not all of which feel like they lead in the right direction. It was January 2011 when Massimo Luongo packed his bags to move to England. A few months earlier, the then18-year-old had been on a football tour of Holland and Belgium with his Sydneybased academy side. When the tour was over, Luongo’s teammates headed home while he flew to England. “I had a trial at Tottenham and, after three weeks, they said they wanted to sign me,” he recalls when we meet at the offices of his boot sponsor in west London. “I hadn’t even finished school yet. I came over on my own. I didn’t even think about it really, I just got on a plane. Tottenham took care of me when I arrived. I was in digs straight away. But I was by myself, which was probably the hardest part.” On the pitch, Luongo immediately realised he was at the bottom of a steep learning curve: “I went there originally as an attacking midfielder, but every time I’d take more than one touch I’d get tackled or smashed. I couldn’t keep up with the pace. So I started to just play one-touch. I had to do that for about six months.” Some 18 months and one Tottenham first-team appearance later (marred by him missing the penalty that concluded a 7-6 shootout defeat to Stoke in the third round of the League Cup), Luongo was loaned to Championship side Ipswich. “If you were in that under-21s or reserve group at that time, you weren’t really training to get to the first team,” he says. “You were playing for a loan move – everyone wanted one. Everyone was trying to impress scouts just to get out and play some first-team football. Under Harry [Redknapp], you were quite far off. He’d bring in the next big thing and that would push us further down.” Luongo’s time with the Tractor Boys was short lived. A few months in, manager Paul Jewell was sacked with the team bottom of the table. Incoming boss Mick McCarthy had little interest in a young midfielder with no experience of fighting relegation.
Slight returN
“When I went back to Spurs, I felt like they’d forgotten me a bit,” says Luongo. “There was a switch of manager – I’d had a bit of a pre-season with Andre Villas-
“iaN holloway doeS everythiNg differeNtly to what i’ve experieNced. it’S Never a dull day Now at Qpr” Boas before going to Ipswich. But when I came back, some of the younger boys had been pushed up because there were a few injuries. I had missed a big opportunity. I knew I had to get out on loan again.” Luongo’s chance didn’t arise until the final weeks of the 2012/13 season, when League One side Swindon came calling. “We didn’t have the facilities or luxuries – that’s compared to Ipswich, not even to Tottenham – but it was a nice place to be,” he says. “A family club.” After his first loan stint there, Luongo had a choice: he could return on loan, this time for the entire 2013/14 season, or he could sign permanently, severing his ties with Spurs. “On deadline day, I decided to sign. It was just about the [lack of ] opportunity back at Spurs. I thought: ‘I’m never really playing to impress anyone at Spurs or to get in the first team, so it might be easier
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for me to do well at Swindon without the attachment to Spurs.’” It proved a wise decision. Not only for his club career, but his international one. In early 2014, Australia manager Ange Postecoglou watched Luongo play at the County Ground. “It was the windiest day ever,” recalls Luongo. “Goal kicks were going out for corners and all sorts. I thought: ‘Well, I’m not bothered if I don’t get called up because I haven’t been before.’ But he liked me.”
top of the world
Postecoglou thought enough of Luongo to include him in the Socceroos’ squad for the World Cup in Brazil that summer. While he didn’t play in any of the team’s games against Spain, Holland or Chile, Luongo felt bolstered by the experience. He smiles as
team, Luongo returned to help Swindon in their bid for promotion. They fell at the final hurdle, losing to Preston North End in the play-off final at Wembley. Four days later, Luongo signed for QPR.
swans a swimming
Stepping up
Massimo Luongo wears the new Atomic/Barracuda New Balance Football Visaro boots. Go to newbalance.com/football or follow @NBFootball on Twitter and Instagram
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Jermain Defoe has 24 Premier League goals in December. Only Alan Shearer (39), Robbie Fowler (33) and Wayne Rooney (31) have more. He faces Swansea next. Can they stay afloat?
the weekend’s fixtures saturday
Watford v EvErton Sky SportS 1, 12.30pm arsEnal v stokE, 3pm BurnlEy v BournEmouth, 3pm hull v Crystal PalaCE, 3pm sWansEa v sundErland, 3pm lEiCEstEr v man City Bt Sport 1, 5.30pm
sunday
ChElsEa v WEst Brom Bt Sport 1, 12pm man utd v tottEnham Sky SportS 1, 2.15pm southamPton v middlEsBrough, 2.15pm livErPool v WEst ham Sky SportS 1, 4.30pm
Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images, Lindsey Parnaby/AFP/Getty Images
he recounts being called for drug testing after the Spain and Holland games: “I walked in and there was just the biggest players in the world in front of me. “I came back from that tournament feeling like a different player – a better player. Just being in that environment changed my head. I got so much confidence from it, I came back to Swindon feeling on top of the world.” Luongo was called up by Postecoglou again the following January, this time for the Asian Cup. “I started the first match, which was probably against the easiest opposition [Kuwait],” he explains. “I had a good game, so then he couldn’t really take me out.” Luongo finished with two goals and four assists. He was named Player of the Tournament as the Socceroos won their first Asian Cup title. His performances led to questions. Good questions. “Everyone was like: ‘Who is this guy?’ Before that tournament, Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak were scoring all the goals, so it was refreshing for people to see someone new. The press went a bit crazy.” Amid cries from the Australian media that their new golden boy shouldn’t be ‘wasting his time’ playing for a third-tier
“It didn’t look good,” he winces. “The fans didn’t like it that I left on that note, but I didn’t know I was leaving when I was playing. After the game I was asked if I was looking for a move and I said: ‘I’m going to turn my phone off and not think about football for a few weeks.’ Before I could do that, I got a call saying I had to meet with Chris Ramsey and Les Ferdinand. “I knew them from my time at Spurs, so it was an easy decision. I felt like they wouldn’t call me two years later just to keep me on the bench.” Life in the Championship took some adjusting to, initially because of the change of pace. “You don’t have any time on the ball; it’s a dog fight for a lot of the games,” Luongo explains. “And also because of the change of manager.” Ramsey was sacked in November, six months after Luongo joined. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s arrival marked the start of a difficult period for the 24-year-old. “I didn’t play for 10 games in a row,” he says. “Not for one minute.” He believes his attacking role with Swindon left people assuming he had no desire to defend. “It was frustrating. I wanted to go on loan and all sorts. Luckily someone got ill and I stepped in – then he [Hasselbaink] saw what I could do and apologised to me. After that, I played almost every game.” The Dutchman’s sacking last month marked the latest twist in Luongo’s learning curve – one that has since required the Australian to adapt to the unique ways of new QPR boss Ian Holloway. Luongo grins as he reveals how, on his first day in charge, Holloway gathered players and staff in the training ground canteen to watch basketball film Coach Carter. “He does everything differently to what I’ve experienced. “It’s never a dull day now at QPR, which is a good thing. Is he different to anyone I’ve ever met? Of course.” The journey goes on, then, with Luongo determined to prove that making it to the top of the English game isn’t always achieved by aiming directly at your goal. @sarahsportmag
Promised land Chelsea’s Victor Moses tells Sport how fortune, forgiveness and faith have helped him – eventually – reach the top Words Amit Katwala Photography Shamil Tanna
V
ictor Moses has a tattoo on his neck. It shows two pairs
of dice, with angel wings. It has been a whirlwind few months for Chelsea’s 25-year-old Nigerian, who would have returned to the club for pre-season this summer bracing himself for another loan spell after his time with Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham. Instead, he’s become a key member of Antonio Conte’s table-topping side, and is one of the Premier League’s most improved players. It’s a development that has surprised many, but not Moses himself. He knows better than most how quickly everything can change. “I’ve been a little bit frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” he admits when he meets us at a hotel near Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, speaking in a low, quiet voice that still carries a trace of West Africa. Moses signed for the Blues in 2012, but despite helping them win the Europa League in
that first season, he found it difficult to get into the team in the years that followed. The loan spells have taken their toll. “You spend about a month-plus in the hotel before you find your own place to stay – stuff there kind of plays in your head, and obviously the kids have to go to another place, go to school,” he says. “I’ve not actually had time to relax. When the season finishes, you have to move back to London again, and those kind of things play in a footballer’s head.” But everything changed with the arrival of Conte as manager. “Every manager is different,” says Moses. “He came in and he saw something, he knew he could work with me. During pre-season he came up to me and told me I was going to stay this season, that he didn’t want me to go anywhere on loan. That he believes in me. That gave me a boost, that gave me confidence to actually go out there and express myself more and work hard for it – to help him as well.”
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There’s a palpable contrast with Jose Mourinho, who gave Moses just eight minutes of action – a cameo appearance as a substitute in the Community Shield – before sending him out on loan. “I’m not here to criticise any manager,” he insists. “But I will say as a manager, if you have a player you feel is talented, it is important to give them a chance. Obviously, we have a new manager that came in, saw what I’ve got and he gave me the opportunity to go out there and express myself.”
Wings of desire
Moses has rewarded Conte’s faith in style. He has been a standout performer in Chelsea’s new 3-4-3 system, playing in an unfamiliar role as a right wing-back, but chipping in with goals – including the winner against Tottenham last month. “I’m definitely relishing it – the position that I’m playing at the moment – I’m really enjoying it,” says Moses. k
in the future. It’s just about being given the opportunity.” He’s had help from all sides as he has adjusted to his new role. To his left, there’s Cesar Azpilicueta, who was unveiled on the same day as Moses in 2012, but has played almost four times as many games for Chelsea. “He understands it more than I do, so he’s constantly talking to me, making sure that I’m in the right place and that really helps me,” explains Moses. On the other side, there’s the always-vocal Conte – who made an impression right from the off. “I’m pleased to have him,” says Moses. “He is very passionate about the game. Obviously everyone’s seen him on the touchline. The way he reacts and stuff, we as players like it. It motivated us to actually do well and work hard for him.” For those on the wings, there’s a significant risk of permanent hearing damage. “He is constantly in my ears just to make sure I’m doing the right thing and in the right position,” says Moses, smiling.
Lion to Eagle
“ Eve r yo n e’s s e e n th e m a n a g e r o n the touchline. The way he reacts and s t u f f, w e a s p l a ye r s l i ke i t ” That is, of course, what every footballer in his position would say – but perhaps the real proof comes from his time playing FIFA. Moses is a regular participant in online clashes between the Chelsea squad on the game. Michy Batshuayi is the best, apparently. Moses plays as Chelsea. Not only does he switch the formation to Conte’s favoured set-up, but he puts himself in at wing-back, too. Moses won the PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month award for November, a career first. There have even been rumours about a potential move to Barcelona as a long-term replacement for Dani Alves (who moved to Juventus this summer after eight seasons with the
Catalan side) at right-back. But he has his sights firmly set on winning trophies with Chelsea. “I just want to keep on working hard,” he says. “There’s still a long way to go – we’ve still got a long season. I know we have a lot of quality players and I know we can play. We’re working hard together as a team – we just want to keep improving.” Moses missed out on the league title celebrations in 2014/15. He was out on loan at Stoke. However he is ready to give his all for the team. “I’m enjoying my football,” he says. “I’m at one of the best clubs in Europe, so hopefully there are still more games and trophies for me to win for the club
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It was around this time of year, 14 years ago, when Moses first arrived in England. When he was 11, his parents – a Christian pastor and his wife – were murdered in religious rioting in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna, their hometown. More than 200 people died across three days of violence known as the ‘Miss World riots’. They were targeted because they had a church, and that meant their son was also a target. He went into hiding at a friend’s house, while relatives scraped together enough money to get him to England as an asylum seeker. Despite what happened, Moses still carries his parents’ faith. “That’s something that no one can take from me,” he says. “I’m still religious. I’m a Christian.” It’s tempting to join the dots, to link the childhood tragedy with the drive and determination required to make it as a footballer. But it’s not like that. “To be honest, what happened in the past happened is in the past,” says Moses, low and quiet. “So the way I look at things… I leave things. Whatever happened in the past, I leave it behind and just move on. What happens in the present is what counts. The past doesn’t count no more. You’ve just got to move on with life.” Moses could have easily ended up an England player, having represented them at every age-group level. In 2007, he even won the Golden Boot as the Three Lions made it to the final of the European Under-17 Championships. Instead, in 2013, he helped Nigeria win their first Africa Cup of Nations in 20 years, scoring twice along the way. Is it hard, we ask, representing Nigeria – pulling on the shirt of a country whose divisions cost him his family. “Whatever happens, happens,” he repeats. “There is nothing that I can do k
Coming good The Premier League’s other most improved players
T H e o Wa lC oT T
about it any more. And, as I’ve said, I’m a religious person. If God can forgive someone, so can I.”
Handbags and history
The orphan was placed with a foster family in Croydon – a Caribbean couple with whom he lived until the age of 17, and with whom he’s still in touch. “They’ve really played a big part in my career,” says Moses. “They’re the people who are always there for me, encouraging me to make sure I’m heading in the right direction. Sometimes when you go out on loan, you don’t feel quite right – but they’re always there, ringing on the phone, encouraging you.” Football also played an important role in helping him settle into his new home. He was capable of doing things with a ball that no one in the parks of south London had seen before. Moses was 13 when he got his first proper taste of organised football. “I was in the park, playing football with a couple of mates,” he remembers. “There was a team that was training, and the manager saw me from a distance and called me over.” The team was a Sunday league youth outfit called Cosmos 90 FC. Moses scored eight goals for them on his debut, from centre-half. He was quick, strong and flamboyant on the pitch. On one occasion, the mother of a goalkeeper who he had humiliated with a nutmeg and a chip in quick succession ran on to the pitch and started hitting him with her handbag.
Word spread quickly, and soon a couple of hundred people would be turning up to watch him. “Crystal Palace must have heard about me,” says Moses. “They sent a scout to come and watch me; the scout came and said: ‘I want you to come to Palace for a trial.’ I went there, and the rest is history.” Palace pulled the strings for Moses to attend the prestigious Whitgift School in Croydon, and his exploits for their team made national news when he scored all five goals in the FA Youth Cup final against a school from Grimsby, whose red kit inspired the headline: ‘Holy Moses – Wonder Player Parts Red Sea’. Football was easy for him back then, an exhibition. Off the pitch he was insular, traumatised – at Palace they say he barely spoke for the first two years he was there. But on it, he was one of the best players they had ever seen, destined for bigger things, and a natural showman. He remembers trying to score from the byline in one game, “to try and do something different”. “The ball actually went in,” he explains. “Everyone else was thinking: ‘How did he do that? How did he do that?’” Finally, after years of frustration on the Chelsea fringes, or out on loan – that talent is being realised at the top level. His life has been shaped by tragedy, but not controlled by it. Instead, Moses is driven by fortune, forgiveness and faith. He has kept on rolling the dice. @amitkatwala
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d i e g o C o s Ta
Or any Chelsea player who mysteriously disappeared last season. Costa has 11 goals in 14 league games, compared to 12 in 28 last term – and not a single red card.
n aC e r C H a d l i
A transfer to West Brom has reinvigorated the Belgian, playing further forward under Tony Pulis. Missed the first month of the season, but has contributed four goals and two assists.
AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Clive Rose/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
“What happens in the present is what c o u n t s . T h e p a s t d o e s n’ t c o u n t n o m o r e . Yo u ’ v e j u s t g o t t o m o v e o n w i t h l i f e ”
The Arsenal winger has been hit-and-miss throughout his career, but is on a hot streak, with nine club goals already this season – compared to nine in total for of 2015/16.
100 With Sergio Aguero suspended for four games, Kelechi Iheanacho should get game time at Man City. His three goals from 299 minutes on the pitch so far this season put him fourth in the minutes-per-goal table (100 minutes per goal)
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Advertising Feature West Ham might be leaking goals, but captain Winston Reid heads the defender goal involvement table, with one goal and three assists
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen is likely to bag you a goal over Christmas. He tops the midfielder shots table (with 49) and has 34 shot assists
It will surprise no one that Alexis Sanchez leads the midfielder goal involvement table. Arsenal’s main man has 11 goals and five assists
49% 37 Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne tops the defender shots (15) and shot assists (22) table
Chelsea’s Diego Costa jointly tops the goals table (on 11) with good reason: he’s an accurate shot, with 21 of 43 attempts on target (or 49 per cent). He also has five assists
Gain an advantage over your fantasy football rivals In fantasy football, some players pick themselves. Take Alexis Sanchez. He is listed as a midfielder, but spearheads Arsenal’s attack. A forward’s supply line with a midfielder’s points weighting for goals scored? You’d be daft not to have the red-hot Chilean in your side. Other decisions are not so simple, however. So, how can you gain an advantage over your mates or – perhaps the bitterest of rivalries – your colleagues? The Fantasy Football Stats HQ app displays player, team and match statistics provided by Opta to help you pick the perfect fantasy football team.
Wondering which midfielder is creating the most chances? Which defender is putting in the most crosses? Which team has conceded the most shots on target? Fantasy Football Stats HQ has the answers. Use it to directly compare up to five teams or players over all the important statistics, grouped into categories such as ‘Goal Potential’ and ‘Assist Potential’. You can also review game stats for an individual player or team. Remember: there are 30 Premier League games in 10 days between Dec 26 and Jan 4 (or three game weeks). Download the app, and festive bragging rights can be yours.
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Download the Fantasy Football Stats HQ app FREE on iOS and Android, and follow Fantasy Football Stats HQ on Facebook and @FFStatsHQ on Twitter
Stats relevant to 2016/17 season to date
Whatever your fantasy football game of choice, Fantasy Football Stats HQ’s free app is powered by Opta to help you pick the perfect team
7 days Our pick Of the actiOn frOm the spOrting week ahead
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NFL Dallas Cowboys @ NY Giants Sky Sports 1, 1.30am Victory in the early hours of Monday morning would mean the Dallas Cowboys clinch the NFC East as their remarkable season continues. Not only do they have the best record in the NFL, they have also won 11 consecutive games. That said, their only loss was in week one to the New York Giants, this weekend’s opponents. The Cowboys have been one of the biggest surprises of 2016. Afer losing franchise quarterback Tony Romo to a back injury they
were being written off by many. But Dak Prescott (pictured), the 135th selection at the 2016 NFL draf, has stepped in and led the team brilliantly, establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in the game. Alongside Prescott, fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott, the running back they selected with their first-round pick, has taken the NFL by storm. He leads the whole of the league in rushing yards, averages 4.9 yards per carry and has scored 12 touchdowns. The Giants sit second to the Cowboys’ in the NFC East, right in the mix for a playoff spot. Their 8-4 win-loss record gives them a slight cushion
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compared to their closest rivals (the Redskins are 6-5). A lacklustre performance last weekend, however, in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, means they need to step up their game. Their offense in particular has looked unimpressive, their running game is virtually nonexistent – having rushed for only 930 yards, the second worst yardage in the NFL – and their passing game hasn’t met expectations. Eli Manning has thrown 22 touchdowns, but given up 12 interceptions. The Giants have, however, found ways to win games. The loss to Pittsburgh broke a six-game winning streak. If they can upset the odds here, the playoffs are in sight.
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Cowboys Riding HigH
december 9-15
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Richard Heathcote/Getty Images, Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
big ask
Boxing Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina Sky Box Office, from 5pm Eric Molina doesn’t lack heart. The 34-year-old US heavyweight, who also has a job teaching disabled children, was a big underdog against unbeaten puncher Deontay Wilder last year. Yet Molina (25-3) lasted into the ninth round, hurting Wilder and getting off the canvas several times.
Unfortunately, that noble defeat offered little proof he can beat Britain’s Anthony Joshua (above right). Olympic gold medallist Joshua (17-0) is the bigger puncher, the taller man, the superior boxer and athlete. Molina’s main advantage is that he has experience going into late rounds that the 27-yearold Joshua lacks – but that’s mainly because the 6f 6in Brit's opponents tend to crumple when he hits them. Molina will likely try to dig in early and test Joshua’s stamina late on. It looks a long shot.
A stacked undercard features at least two bouts of real intrigue, however. Birmingham superflyweight Kal Yafai steps up to challenge Panamanian Luis Concepcion for his version of the 115lb world title. Also, Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora meet in a predictably bad-tempered clash. Whyte, whose sole loss is to Joshua, should be fresher – but Chisora has generally mixed at a higher level. If Chisora has something lef in the tank, it could make for an entertaining brawl.
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Joshua v Molina
Fri
Championship top scorers
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Dwight Gayle Newcastle
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Glenn Murray Brighton
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Scott Hogan Brentford
Premier class Football Championship: Brighton v Leeds Sky Sports 1, 7.45pm Two sides with contrasting top-flight pedigrees meet at the Amex on Friday night, with both setting their sights firmly on promotion. Hosts Brighton, absent from the top division for more than 30 years and yet to sample the promised land of the Premier League, haven’t lost a league game since Brentford turned them over at home in early September. Nine wins and three draws in their 12 games since have seen the Seagulls rise to second, just a single point off leaders Newcastle – although Saturday’s goalless draw at struggling Cardiff did cost them top spot. Veteran striker Glenn Murray, on loan from Bournemouth, is the man to watch – the 33-year-old has 11 goals already this season, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Norwich in October.
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Boxing, Saturday, around 10pm
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Chris Wood Leeds
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Tammy Abraham Bristol City
Visitors Leeds, three times the champions of England, are now in their 13th consecutive season out of the Premier League, but Garry Monk (pictured) is threatening to bring a rare bout of sanity to the club during the reign of crackpot Italian owner Massimo Cellino. Five wins in their past six league games (a home loss to Newcastle the sole blemish) have taken them into fourth in the table, with forward Kemar Roofe finally getting off the mark in last week’s 2-0 defeat of rejuvenated Aston Villa. Kiwi striker Chris Wood, who grabbed the second, has 13 goals in all competitions this season. There are also two huge local derbies in the Championship this weekend, with Preston hosting Blackburn (Saturday, Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm) and Nottingham Forest making the short trip to Derby (Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 12pm). But make no mistake – the biggest game is taking place at a stadium that has never witnessed a top-flight game.
round Betting anthony Joshua v EriC Molina
knockout wins in 17 pro fights for britain’s anthony Joshua, including 13 stoppages in the first two rounds. Eric Molina has a solid 25-3 win-loss record, but two of those defeats are first-round stoppages (in 2007 and 2012).
ExtEnding WildEr American Molina has, however, shown greater resilience recently. In June 2015, he lasted a surprising nine rounds with fearsome knockout artist Deontay Wilder (who has 36 KOs in 37 fights), with Molina showing heart to get up off the canvas three times during that fight.
Mo’ poWEr Eric Molina has shown decent power of his own, stopping five of his past six opponents, as well as wobbling Wilder with a left hook. In his last fight, Molina stopped teak tough, if naturally smaller, Tomasz Adamek in the 10th round.
round by round Joshua has just 41 professional rounds under his belt, while Molina has 120 rounds. The American has also gone the distance in 10- and 12-round bouts, so he will likely be conservative early and look to extend this bout as far as he can.
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of Joshua’s past three fights have gone into the seventh round as he has shown more patience as he’s stepped up. however, previously unbeaten Charles Martin was blasted out in two in april.
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December 9-15
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All eyes on mumbAi Cricket Fourth Test: India v England Sky Sports 2, 4am Though 2-0 down and reeling from the loss of their bright young opening batsman Haseeb Hameed to a broken finger, England can be heartened upon arriving at the Wankhede Stadium. Their two previous visits to this venue in the five-day format have ended in victory. Now Trevor Bayliss’ charges need a similar result.
In 2006, veteran twirler Shaun Udal bagged a fourth-innings 4/14 – including kingpin Sachin Tendulkar – to seal a 212-run win. More than six years later, in November 2012, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar shared 19 Indian scalps as the hosts went down by 10 wickets. History dictates that spin will be pivotal, then. Much depends on
Pitching uP
Sat
whether England’s batsmen can assert themselves against Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. With the ball, Adil Rashid is reaping the rewards of greater patience. His haul of 18 wickets is the most on either side. Moeen Ali (above, with Rashid) offers accurate support, but only a monumental display will give the tourists a chance here.
Horse Racing International Hurdle Channel 4 & Racing UK, 3pm A three-time Cheltenham Festival runner-up returns to the scene of his near-glories on Saturday, as trainer Nicky Henderson unleashes the enigmatic My Tent Or Yours on the International Hurdle. The nine-year-old, second to Champagne Fever in the 2013 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Jezki in the following year’s Champion Hurdle, returned from almost two years off the track to run a heroic second to Annie Power in the same race back in March. A third crack at the festival’s first major championship race beckons, with Saturday’s race – likely to feature two-time winner The New One and defending champion Old Guard – a useful stepping stone along the way. Little over an hour before that (1.50pm), the first five home in last month’s BetVictor Gold Cup could renew rivalries in a competitive Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. The Evan Williamstrained Kings Odyssey might just beat them all, however.
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Wasps v Connacht Sunday, Sky Sports 2, 1pm
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hearty thanks to: duncan ross, sopHie asHcroft, martin gritton, Henry robson and pHil lowe
LAUNCH OF THE YEAR
Exeter Chiefs v Bordeaux-Begles Sunday, BT Sport 2, 5.30pm
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Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company 2653887
Total Average Distribution: 306,384 January-June 2016 Don’t forget Help keep public transport clean and tidy for everyone by taking your copy of sport away witH you wHen you leave tHe bus or train.
It would take a miracle for Exeter to repeat last season’s quarter final. Jack Nowell is still sidelined, but Henry Slade (pictured), fresh from a couple of England cameos, should feature.
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All pictures Getty Images
Pat Lam’s intrepid Connacht sit top of this group with two wins. But Wasps have amassed 351 points in seven straight wins at the Ricoh Arena. Joe Launchbury (pictured) returns from suspension.
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Watches
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Our pick of pieces available for £4,000 or less
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1. Rado HyperChrome 1616 £2,200 | rado.com 2. TAG Heuer Carrera £4,000 | tagheuer.co.uk 3. Hamilton Khaki Field £1,395 | hamiltonwatch.com 4. Bell & Ross BR123 Aeronavale £2,150 | 48-49, Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ 5. Tudor Black Bay 36 £1,370 | tudorwatch.com
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James Lincoln
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Liam Phillips 2015 and 2014 BMX SX World Cup Champion 2013 BMX World Champion
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DRONE DJI Mavic Pro
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Gadgets
Christmas in high definition
1. Amazon Echo Dot The future is here and she’s called Alexa, a voice that lives inside the Dot. She can control smart lights, switches and thermostats. £49.99 | amazon.co.uk
5. Sonos Fill your living room with surround sound from the PLAY:1s or thumping bass from the Sub, the Playbar delivers powerful and realistic sound. £1,436 | sonos.com
2. Samsung Gear 360 Create your own virtual reality movies with this 360-degree camera. £349.99 | samsung.com
6. Apple iPad Pro The latest iPads are ridiculously powerful tablets. Available in 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, either could replace your laptop. From £549 | apple.com
3. Chargekey Ultra-portable USB charging cable for iPhone and Android, ideal for people who steal your charger. £19.99 | firebox.com 4. Kodak Ektra A smartphone designed with photography in mind. Features a 21 megapixel rear camera and a 13 megapixel front camera. £449 | kodakphones.com
7. Deluxe Ed TIE Advance X1 Join the dark side and pilot Darth Vader’s own TIE Fighter drone. Buy others in the set and have laser battles with friends. £229.99 | argos.co.uk 8. Optoma HD27 A high-definition projector with built-in speakers, ideal for big screen
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sport, movies or gaming. Small enough to slip into a bag. £629 | optoma.co.uk 9. Hisense H75M7900 Measuring in at a mammoth 75ins, this feature-packed 4K beast absolutely blows the competition away. £2,499 | ao.com 10. Boosted Board Forget hoverboards. This electric skateboard offers smooth braking, powerful electric motors and simple wireless control. From $999 | boostedboards.com 11. Sky Q This excellent, next generation set-top box allows you to enjoy Sky all around your home and save recordings to your devices. From £20 per month | sky.com
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Style
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Step into Christmas
1. Diadora Camaro Retro running model derived from Diadora’s 1985 sports catalogue, reproduced using an artful mix of nylon and suede. £65 | size.co.uk 2. Jason Markk Premium Shoe Care Box Set Keep your kicks in tip-top shape. Includes brush, 12 quick wipes, microfibre towel and repel spray. £50 | mrporter.com 3. Asics GEL-Lyte III ‘Christmas’ Pack Asics’ annual instalment of retro runners. Blue crafted suede leather upper with accents of smooth leather. £100 | footpatrol.com 4. Alexander McQueen Calf Hair-Trimmed Leather Sneakers Crafted in white leather
with tonal exaggerated soles. A sleek, standout number. £360 | mrporter.com
Tech Fleece Trousers, £160; Air Zoom Tallac Flyknit, £220 | nike.com
5. BAPE x adidas NMD_R1 Get December 22 in your diary: this limited edition collaboration is set to sell out fast. £110 | adidas.co.uk
8. Converse Prime Star A minimalist masterpiece, made using premium tumbled leather in a unique one-piece construction. £95 | converse.com
6. M.R.K.T. Ted Weekender A modern take on the duffel bag. Durable and water resistant, big enough for a few pairs of your favourite sneakers. £109 | mrktstore.co.uk 7. NikeLab ACG The ACG division returns for winter with a range of technical outerwear and a heavy duty pair of sneakerboots. Rugged, with responsive cushioning. Tech Fleece Crew, £140;
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9. Gucci High Top Trainers Imbued with retro appeal, this high-top pair is appliqued with the brand’s signature red and green webbing and a highly-detailed embroidered tiger. A roaring success. £485 | mrporter.com 10. Nike LunarCharge The new silhouette from Nike is a great mash-up of the Air Presto, Air Max 90 and Air Current. £100 | nike.com
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Cycling
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Roll into Christmas
1. Rapha Pro Team Softshell Jacket Made for wet – and dark – conditions. Strikes the perfect balance between protection and breathability. Handsome. £200 | rapha.cc 2. Lazer Blade Compact style combined with the Advanced Rollsys System provides an excellent fit and great adjustability. In Matt Camo/Flash Yellow. £79.99 | lazersport.co.uk 3. Oakley Radar Pace Real-time voiceactivated coaching system that tracks your performance and coaches you in the moment. Touchpad on temples. £400 | uk.oakley.com 4. Altura Sector 30 Backpack Designed with a venting system so as to be comfortable to
wear while you ride, and with external U-lock and glasses sleeves. £69.99 | altura.eu 5. Assos SS.LaCampionissimo Jersey A celebration of Assos’s Gran Fondo, held each June in Aprica, Italy. Find your inner campionissimo. £104 | assos.com 6. Cafe du Cycliste Alphonsine Long-sleeve jersey constructed from a merino polar fleece fabric. The prettiest windstopper Sport has ever seen. £157 | cafeducycliste.com 7. Strava Premium Features Strava Beacon – a live tracking safety feature – personalised coaching and advanced activity analysis. £5.99/month or £44.99/year | strava.com
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8. Pro Cycling Trumps Your favourite pro cyclists in trump format. Here’s Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome from the 2016 Edition. £7.99 | procyclingtrumps.com 9. dhb Flashlight Thermolite Socks Combat the cold on your commute: Thermolite fabric traps air to provide warmth and comfort without the weight. £8 | wiggle.co.uk 10. CHPT./// 1.21 Race Fit Cycling Jersey Super-sleek, Castelli/David Millar design. Front phone pocket! £220 | mrporter.com 11. Zwift membership Link your turbo trainer to your laptop; ride with a virtual community. Joyous indoor riding. £8/month | zwift.com
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Golf
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Gifts to improve your festive hacking
1. Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver The most forgiving driver Callaway have ever produced – straighter flights on mishits and longer distance, drive after drive. Sounds useful. £369 | callawaygolf.com 2. Garmin S6 Watch & TruSwing Golf Swing Sensor Bundle Top-quality course data and a swing sensor that gives you unique analysis of just how good (or bad) your swing is. £349.99 | americangolf.co.uk 3. adidas Whipstart Sunglasses Superior mirrored lenses provide outstanding light absorption; fully adjustable for different shaped noses. The eyewear choice of Justin Rose. From £80 | shadestation.co.uk
4. Galvin Green Aston Jacket Latest off the rack from the best bad-weather brand in the business. £300 | galvingreen.com
8. Cleveland Golf RTX-3 Wedges Greater consistency and stability is the aim in this top-rate range. £109.99 | clevelandgolf.co.uk
5. Stewart Golf X9 Follow Trolley The new generation of one of golf’s finest remotecontrolled machines. Try not to make it follow you into the drink. £1,499 | stewartgolf.co.uk
9. Urban Golf Gift Card Head to one of their two London venues and use this on brilliant simulated golf, lessons, food or even the odd pint. Festive. From £25 | urbangolf.co.uk
6. TaylorMade Burner Soft Ball – Star Wars How cool are these? Tee up with Darth Vader, R2-D2, Yoda, Chewy and more. Amazeballs. £24.95 for 12 | taylormadegolf.co.uk
10. Finishing School Improve your swing with this book, featuring easy-to-follow images and instructions. Handy. £25 | waterstones.com
7. Bushnell Tour V4 Jolt Compact, easy-touse rangefinder that can zero in on the flag from 400 yards. £279 | bushnellgolf.co.uk
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11. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Wear this and be like Masters champion Danny Willett. Might be the closest you get. £29,600 | audemarspiguet.co.uk